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The Church at Work e-zine (electronic magazine) is designed to give you a glimpse into the stories being lived out through the ministries of First United Methodist Church Grapevine. Lives are being touched and changed

forever, and we want you to hear the story.

4 The Little Store

7 God’s Calling

10 Christmas in Costa Rica

14 From Hopelessness to Help

16 Do You Know Where King Street Is?

20 Re-Thinking Discipline

22 The Church At Work: Holidays

23 Lent

4

If you have feedback about the e-zine or a story to tell, please contact:

Dr. Cindy Ryancindyr@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x222

or Melissia Mason

melissiam@fumcg.org, 817-481-2559 x109

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The Church at Work || 3

The Little StoreBy Angelia Ozymy

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him how can the love of God be in him?

1 John 3:174 || The Church at Work

In the spring of 1978, 1 John 3:17 was the inspiration and motivation for a few women at First Methodist Church to

start a ministry to serve the people in the Grapevine community. Thus “The Little Store” (as it was originally called) focused on providing clothing to school-age children in Grapevine.

Here we are 34 years later, carrying on their mission. We continue to be blessed with donations and dedicated volunteers who give faithfully of their time and effort to what is now called “The Thrift Shop.”

The Thrift Shop evolved into a place where people in and around our community know they can find good quality clothing and household goods

at very reasonable prices (we are very proud that our prices haven’t changed in the last 15 years!).

However, we also provide help to people facing tough circumstances - from donating clothing and household items to victims of fires, helping single moms trying to clothe their children, families facing tough economic challenges as well as give a hug, a smile or comfort as someone tells about an ongoing health concern.

On one occasion, I arrived to open the shop one morning and saw a man standing outside his

pickup, leaning his head on the cab of

The Church at Work || 5

the pickup. We waved and spoke as I unlocked the garage.

After we’d been open about 10 minutes, he came inside. I knew immediately he probably had not been inside before. His head was down, he seemed embarrassed and didn’t know what he was supposed to do. I welcomed and encouraged him to come in. He handed me a piece of paper with the name of one of our church staff on it, saying she suggested he come see if we could help him.

All of his personal possessions had been stolen out of his pickup; he had no clothes but the ones he was wearing. I assured him we could help and encouraged him to pick out all that he needed.

After a few minutes, he asked me if by chance we had a bag of some kind in which he could put the clothing. Thanks to the volunteers that keep our garage organized, I went directly to where various bags are stored. Right on the top of the bin was a brand new Nike duffle bag.

“It’s perfect,” he said - just what he needed.

He then wanted to know if we had someplace for him to change clothes. A few minutes later, he came walking into the front room of the shop with the biggest smile on his face. His head was up, shoulders back. All of the volunteers commented on how great he looked - he even did a little turn around to show us his outfit!

I know this man left that morning feeling better than he’d probably felt in a while.

But more importantly, I believe he left that day with not only much-needed clothing, but feeling he wasn’t alone. People care. There is hope.

The Thrift Shop Mission Statement reads “We believe that the love of God is the greatest force in the universe and that we are compelled to share God’s grace with all persons so that all might come to live in a loving relationship with God and with each other”.

To quote an ad on local television for giving blood, “It all starts with you.” If you would like to volunteer in the Thrift Shop, contact Angelia at 817-488-7664 during Thrift Shop hours. •

Angelia Ozymy and her husband Mike have been members of FUMCG since 2005. Angelia is the current leader of the Thrift Shop ministry. She also serves with Be Our Guest neighborhood meal, on the Altar Guild and on the Welcome Team as an usher, greeter and communion server.

6 || The Church at Work

The Lord called me on the 2nd of April 1972 when I was a student in High

School - living, behaving and thinking like any other teenager. My acceptance of His calling totally changed my life and I became a new being with new interests and ambitions.

My most important mission was to walk and live under God’s guidance. It has not been easy. However, God has always empowered me and by His Grace, mercy and love I have walked the journey this far and I still have faith that He will lead me to the end.

I’m married to Flo and God has blessed us with four children, Grace, Paul, Kelvin and Keith. We have also been guardians to two of my late brother’s children. At 27 years I got into church leadership and I have been in it since then.

I have come across many leadership challenges but God has enabled me to perform

God’s Calling

By Isaac Kinoti KaringaniaKaaga, Kenya

Isaac Kinoti visited us last October, along with Bishop William. We have asked Isaac to share his story of faith with us, telling us also what he learned here to take back home.

The Church at Work || 7

my duties with little complaints. Faith, patience, understanding and listening to other have been pillars in [carrying out] the responsibilities I have held in the community. I have experienced lots of joy when the work God has sent me to do is accomplished.

The year 2012 was a great year for me. In February, my brother passed while undergoing treatment in Reston Hospital in Virginia. My niece had struggled to have us travel there to counsel and console her, but it was impossible to obtain a visa.

When I was invited by you - the Grapevine Church - to visit, I received the visa, although after difficulties. To me this was God’s doing. It was God’s demonstration of His purpose for me and a fulfillment of your prayers in exposing me to the work of God you do.

I owe a lot of gratitude to the Grapevine Church for making arrangements for my trip and stay and meeting all the costs. This was very special treatment to me and I felt humbled every time I visualized the events around me.

During my visit and as I interacted with you all, I noticed the following:

Commitment

There was good commitment by the people assigned different responsibilities. Each person was keen to perform both effectively and efficiently. This I found with the pastors, office crew, teams working with children, volunteers in the Thrift Shop, the GRACE team, the hosts and practically everyone. I saw people committed to God’s calling and serving with an inward driven command from the spirit of God.

8 || The Church at Work

Sharing

The degree of sharing is high. This I noticed by the various ministries that Grapevine supports. There is the children feeding programme (Weekend Food), the renovations of the trailer houses for the needy families (Project Repair), the existence of the Thrift Shop, the GRACE medical facility, food grocery (God Can), and catering for less fortunate (Be Our Guest).

There are also other ministries in other countries that you support (e.g. Kenya, Costa Rica).

The provision of the needs of other people is a strong basis of evangelism I believe. No wonder God is using you to accomplish many projects.

FellowshipThe trips that you make each year to Kaaga in Kenya and join the Christians in their churches warms them up. It encourages them to see their brothers and sisters from a different country and race. Even though cultures are different you have given us very warm fellowship as brethren.

Organization

All organizations are well-coordinated with exemplary harmony. It was amazing to find the men fellowship at 6:30 a.m. (Iron Men Bible Studies) and the women fellowship at 6:00 p.m. all prompt to transact their business.

The pastors and their different roles at different times were all aware of events around the church. The office crew and lay leadership were admirable.

Space limits me to say many things I found there. However, I intend to start a Thrift Shop. I will appeal to our members to donate items from their homes, clothes, etc. The proceeds from the sales for the time being will be used to supplement the dispensary.

Your actions have been so loud that you don’t need to talk.

A gospel of feeding, healing and clothing as you are doing will have far reaching effects and transform lives. Keep up and God bless you. •

Isaac Kinoti is a member of the Methodist Church in Kenya, Kaaga Synod. He has been a school teacher, and is currently running the Health Clinic (dispensary) that we supported with monies from our Christmas gift-giving options.

The Church at Work || 9

By Joni Lehmann

One little boy waited with anxiety on his face while the other

names were called. He didn’t expect to hear his name. He

hadn’t turned his list in on time.

The joy on his face when his name was finally called to receive his

Christmas present was one of the many blessings experienced by the

small group that made a whirlwind two-day trip to the Costa Rica

village of Las Juntas shortly before Christmas.

This is the second year FUMCG has provided Christmas gifts for children up through

high school age at Iglesia Metodista Evangelica, the church we sponsor. Each child

receives a clothing item and a toy. Last year the items were purchased in the village the day

of the party. This year money was sent in advance for the Church in Costa Rica to buy the

Christmasin Costa Rica

10 || The Church at Work

conditions. They reside on government

land and the government has threatened

to remove their children if the living

conditions of the “home” are not improved.

It should be noted that the “home” is not

what anyone in the United States would

refer to as a house.

The small group from Pastor Barrantes’

church is working with the family and

is installing walls and windows. The

home also has no flooring. FUMC’s

representatives took groceries to the

family on their visit, including dry goods

that would last without refrigeration and

enough fresh meat and vegetables that

would keep for several days.

The family consisted of approximately 7-8

people living in a 500-square foot space,

including two children.

“Watching the children play like nothing

was wrong just really hit me,” said Gravitt,

the father of four young children. “I just

realized how really blessed I am to have

always had a roof over my head and to be

able to provide that for my children.

items from each child’s list to ensure needs

were met. FUMC’s representatives helped

present them at a party held at the Church

the Friday before Christmas.

The purpose was two-fold as it was a

means to help the local economy by

purchasing the gifts in the village in

addition to providing Christmas for

children who otherwise may not have

received anything.

According to mission team member Russell

Gravitt, “The relief on the parents’ faces

was just as rewarding as the joy on the

kids’.”

Russell, Wayne & Michelle McNinch, and

Wayne’s brother Steve McNinch landed

in Costa Rica on Thursday, December

20. They spent time with Pastor Roberto

Barrantes and with one of the small groups

within the church, talking about the work

they were doing in the community.

On Friday, December 21, prior to the

Christmas party, the FUMC group visited

a family that lives in extremely poor

The Church at Work || 11

“It also made me appreciate that the

work we are doing with Pastor Roberto is

spreading into the small groups that are

then going out to make an impact in the

community, similar to how our

church is with The Villages.”

The travelers moved on from

visiting the family to shop for

a refrigerator and stove for the

church. They were planning to

buy nice, full-size appliances,

until Pastor Roberto and his

wife, Ana, explained to them

that they didn’t need a full-size

refrigerator and a stove without

an oven would work just fine as

they only cooked on the stove top.

Gravitt said it was another “wow” moment.

They could have had top-of-the line

appliances, but chose only what they

needed.

After shopping, it was finally time for

the Christmas pizza party. All the gifts

were lying up front and the kids and

their parents were entering the church

wondering what was going on.

They then started the process of

calling each child’s name and

presenting the gifts.

“On mission trips, I always go

with the thought that I’m going

to be blessing someone else,”

said Gravitt. “At the end of the

party, they called us up and

gave us presents. It was very

overwhelming as we definitely

didn’t expect it.”

Those who travel on the mission trips

make sure to emphasize that it’s the work

of God through the “Church” that makes

it possible to provide assistance. They are

They have so

little, but you

would think

they were

some of the

richest people

in the world.

12 || The Church at Work

Joni Lehmann has been a member of FUMC Grapevine since 1999. She enjoys attending the 9:00 AM worship service and participating in Kenda’s Wednesday evening bible study, Suddenly Single and the Campus Angels ministry. Joni works as the Associate Director of Communications for the Big 12 Conference.

sensitive to ensure that our gifts are not

mistaken as wealthy Americans coming

over to shower them with money.

Gravitt has traveled to Costa Rica twice

now. He first went with the youth in

March of 2012. He was eager to go back

to further the relationships he built last

spring. Russell reflected that he and

Pastor Roberto can carry on a meaningful

conversation even though neither speaks

much of the other’s language. He looks

forward to returning to continue the work

we have started.

“The need and the people we interact

with draw me back. The people, and the

manner in which they worship and give it

all to God, is amazing. They have so little,

but you would think they were some of the

richest people in the world. They are so

happy and committed to God.” •

For those who are interested in going on a mission trip but don’t have the

financial means, don’t let that deter you. We have recently started a Villages

Scholarship Fund. One of the purposes of this fund is to provide scholarships

for those who wish to go on a mission trip but can’t afford it. The scholarship

fund is also an excellent opportunity for those who would like to contribute

but are unable to travel. Contact the church office (817-481-2559) to find out

how you can help or be helped.

The Church at Work || 13

S

ometimes you just need somebody to give you a step up

on the ladder. For a new church member named Michelle,

that hoist came in the form of a transitional apartment next

to First United Methodist Church Grapevine. From there, she

and her son, Julian, are climbing the rungs to a better life.

A native of Arkansas living in Dallas, Michelle needed to escape an extremely

volatile home life. She decided to make the move, but found out she was

pregnant with her son. “I realize now in hindsight that he is what ultimately gave

me the strength to get out,” she says.

By Debbi Reecer

from hopelessness to

HELP

14 || The Church at Work

of former pastor Dr. Ken Diehm and the Board of Trustees – are used for transitional housing and mission outreach. Michelle and Julian moved in, and Michelle now is able to pay full rent and hoping to buy a house. Julian is a happy second-grader, involved in karate lessons and baseball.

They started attending worship, and on November 11, 2012, they became members and were baptized.

“The church is what saved me,” Michelle shares. “I wasn’t really a very good Christian, and I didn’t go to church. At first when I dropped Julian off at Sunday School, I stood at the door of the sanctuary and hesitated to go in. But God directed me inside, and I’ve been going every Sunday since then. I love this church, and the people are great.”

Associate Pastor Dr. Cindy Ryan notes that because of the church’s purpose for the apartments – and because Michelle was aware of the church’s generosity to her – FUMCG is where she turned when she decided to say “yes” to Christ. “The apartments for mission were a decision Ken and the Trustees made that is still being carried on and supported by our church today. And, it is making a huge difference in people’s lives and their ability to carry on.” •

Michelle has no family in the area and knew that going back to Arkansas was not an option. “People don’t realize… I felt lost and in despair... humiliated,” she says. “All I wanted was to be a good mother.”

Michelle went to numerous shelters around the Metroplex. She learned she could only stay in them for 30 days, and even then, in fairly unsuitable conditions. “I saw people who came and went, and what it did to the kids,” she recalls. “I didn’t want my son to be exposed to anything like that.”

Michelle also knew that 30 days wasn’t long enough for a single mom to start over again. She found a transitional home, Brighter Tomorrows, in DeSoto. She was able to stay there six months and get a job. But at the end of six months, she faced the same decision of where to go.

Brighter Tomorrows connected Michelle to G.R.A.C.E.’s transitional housing program. After a thorough interview process, she was accepted. She lived in a one-bedroom studio apartment off Nash Street in Grapevine. “They provided everything you needed – even clothing,” she says. “I was able to move in there and keep working and not wonder how I was going to pay the rent.”

After the two-year time limit at the G.R.A.C.E. housing was up, Michelle was doing better but still trying to make ends meet. She was working her way up from a job building wired control panels to an office position as a production coordinator. While she didn’t want handouts, even a $1-an-hour pay increase knocked her out of governmental low-income assistance.

G.R.A.C.E. sent her to FUMCG and the nearby apartments that – through the vision

Debbi Reecer has been a member of FUMCG since 1997. She serves on the Campus Angels and Angel Food teams. Debbi and her husband Rich attend the Open Door Sunday School Class and worship at the 11:15 AM service. They have a son, Matt, who is a student at Texas Tech University.

The Church at Work || 15

By Lorie Payne

Do You Know Where King Street Is?

16 || The Church at Work

I have lived half a mile from King Street for almost 17 years and have driven past it countless times, yet I had no

idea where it was when my husband first mentioned it to me over a year ago.

Neil mentioned King Street to me one Sunday. I had spent the morning volunteering at the Grapevine Village table at a ministry fair at church. I was telling Neil about my experiences that morning... of all the wonderful things that were going on at the Grapevine Village, Shady Oaks. It was exciting to hear and see about the good God was doing in the Villages... how so many members of our church family were listening and following God’s call. It was exciting to be part of a church that was reaching out.

On that particular Sunday, Neil listened intently to the events of the morning. During our conversation, he mentioned another mobile home park - King Street - the one I had driven by countless times but had never noticed.

Neil was driving around the area looking for potential projects for the Mini Mission* the first time he drove down King Street. As he drove through, he was surprised at some of the conditions in which the people were living... people who lived only half a mile from us.

Neil had already secured a few projects for that year. The thought of tackling King Street was daunting due to the amount of

work that was needed there. We talked about how we would really like to do something to help improve the living conditions at King Street, but we weren’t sure if they would welcome us or want assistance.

We decided to ask Armando if he knew anything about King Street. When we couldn’t find a good time to meet with him, we put it on the back burner; but it was still on my mind. I would later discover that it was on Neil’s mind as well.

The Mini Mission came and went and many projects were completed... some at Shady Oaks and others at

neighboring homes. It was wonderful, but there were none completed at King Street.

That same year, our Sunday School class visited Beautiful Feet Ministry at Christmas. We rode up and down a street in inner city Ft. Worth on the back of a trailer, singing Christmas carols, knocking on doors of homes and surprising people who lived there with gifts. It was one of the best nights I had ever experienced, and it was a night my children will never forget.

Over 1,000 people show up each year at Beautiful Feet for this event, and it is truly amazing. I, along with some of the adults who attended, talked about doing a ministry like Beautiful Feet in Grapevine the next year; but we weren’t sure where yet. We would pray about it and let God take the lead.

That Christmas Eve, we returned from church to a beautifully wrapped gift sitting on our porch. Attached to the gift was a card that read: “The Payne Family - A family who exemplifies the true meaning

* The Mini Mission is an abbreviated version of the weeklong summer youth

mission trips. It’s held the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. The youth, along with adult volunteers, work together to serve

others locally.

The Church at Work || 17

of Christmas and family.” The card was not signed. The gift itself was a very generous one, and it left me speechless. But it was the card that left me overcome with emotion. I was so honored and humbled to be the recipient of such a wonderful card with such wonderful words.

I decided that night that we were going to do our best to live up to the words on that card. I prayed for God to show me what we needed to do, where He wanted us to go, and that I would listen. I wanted to pay that gift forward in some way and share the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ - but I wasn’t sure how. Little did I know what He had planned.

As the new year approached and I continued to drive

by King Street, there was a nudge. Was this the answer? Was I listening? The nudge was there. I felt it. I heard it. But I wasn’t sure if this was the answer.

As the nudge grew stronger, the reservations began: We didn’t know anyone who lived on King Street. There was so much need there, and I was already so busy. I was serving in many other areas. I had taken on a full time job for the first time in almost 12 years. I had a family to raise. And I was already serving... I was. But there was a nudge that kept leading me back to King Street.

Neil and I had not discussed King Street in a long time. Summer came and went, and the nudge was bigger and stronger. One day I was reading a devotional, and the following scripture was placed in front

of me: “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts. 20:35.

When I read that, I looked up at the card that hangs above my desk - the one that was left on our porch that previous Christmas Eve. And I knew the answer. That night I told Neil what I wanted to do. Funny thing is, he had the same nudge…

and I became very excited! We both did.

We decided to ask Armando how to start. In our first meeting, Armando told us that the people at King Street had been waiting for help. They had been waiting for us. We were encouraged by our pastors to move forward with the ideas that God had placed on our hearts. When we presented our ideas to people in our church

family, they all received them with open hearts and minds.

In October of 2012 - with the help of a few of the residents at King Street, our Sunday School class, and the youth

- we held a Trunk or Treat for the families there. The youth lead games and crafts and as many trunks as we could fit lined

...It is more

blessed to give than to receive...

18 || The Church at Work

the street to give out treats. Relationships were beginning.

In November, the majority of the projects for the Thanksgiving Mini Mission were at King Street. Many of the youth, adult volunteers and some of the residents helped improve several homes on King Street. Relationships were growing.

In December, with the help of two adult Sunday School classes, we held our own Beautiful Feet ministry. We drove down King Street pulling a trailer, singing Christmas carols while our children gave gifts to all of the children who live on King Street. Relationships were blossoming. After all of the gifts were given out, the families who live on King Street surprised us with a wonderful meal, complete with all the tamales you could ever possibly eat. We ended that glorious day in December with hugs, thank you’s, and a large prayer circle with all hands interlocked. Relationships were cemented.

Remember the reservations (aka excuses) I listed above? It turns out many of the children who live on

King Street go to school with my children, so we did know some of the families who live there. It also turns out that many of the families are eager and very capable of doing repairs to their homes if given the means to do so. And it turns out that when I made time to listen to and obey God, He provided all of the assistance and time needed to help those who had been waiting for us.

It took many things to get our attention, and our friends on King Street were left waiting. I’m sad that we put King Street on the back burner and wasted so much time, but I am so grateful that God kept

nudging. I’m grateful that we slowed down enough to listen.

We have many other things planned for King Street, but the most important things are the relationships we have made and are making. To whoever left that anonymous gift and card on our porch that Christmas Eve, I am so grateful for your generosity. But I am mostly grateful for your words… the words that encouraged us to pay it forward and share the best gift of all! •

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. ~ James 1: 22-25

Lorie Payne and her husband Neil have been members of FUMCG since 1997. They and their children - Addi, Cal, Drew, Bryna and Elli - are active in many ministries of the church. They go on mission trips, participate in children’s ministries and volunteer at Be Our Guest and Feed Our Kids. Lorie also serves on the Photography Team and is the Assistant Director of the Creative Learning Center.

The Church at Work || 19

We really need to find a better word. “Discipline” makes me

think of punishment or correction or being chastised. It sounds so controlling and restrictive. It certainly doesn’t sound fun! Drudgery comes to mind.

Yes, we need to find a better word, because having these things come in our head when we think of practicing the spiritual disciplines gives us a big hurdle to overcome before we ever start.

It’s a little like physical exercise. We know our bodies need it. Doctors tell us we should exercise at least twenty minutes four times a week, but most of us are too busy or too preoccupied or just too lazy to do it.

I know I can find an excuse when it comes to exercise. Really, just about anything will do. I’m afraid it doesn’t take much for me to find something I would rather do. Then I wonder why I have put on a few extra pounds and don’t have the energy I used to have.

Participating in the spiritual disciplines is exercise for the spirit. It develops spiritual muscle and stamina to live life to its fullest. If we need physical exercise

to build bodily health, doesn’t it make sense we need spiritual exercise

to build holy health? The intent is not to become

spiritually muscle-bound, but to grow closer to God.

It is really more relationship exercise. It is spending time with

someone to build a stronger more intimate

relationship.

The psalmist writes, “As a deer longs for

flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1) It sounds like a love letter you might write to one you miss being with. When you are with them you feel more complete, more yourself, whole. In being with that person you are building a best friend.

It is also important to remember the root of the word “discipline” is “disciple”. That means, in building a closer relationship

By Rev. John Mollet

re-thinking Discipline

20 || The Church at Work

with God, we are also committing ourselves to be a better disciple.

Relationship builds devotion. It is not only about “what a friend we have in Jesus”; it’s also about how we show ourselves to be His friend.

That is why spending time in the spiritual disciplines is valuable and

why we have decided to devote our Lenten season this year to learning more about them. As Richard Foster writes in his now-classic book on the spiritual disciplines, Celebration of Discipline, “We simply do not know how to go about exploring the inward life.”

In the sermon each Sunday during Lent (we are calling the sermon series Practice), one of the pastors will examine some of the spiritual disciplines. Then, that preaching pastor will lead a further discussion on those disciplines on the Monday following at 6:30 PM in Leach Hall. We will be looking at meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, guidance and celebration.

In addition, Louis Carr, being the youngest and most technically-savvy of the pastors, will conduct a Google+ Hangout on the disciplines.

As Foster writes in his introduction: “A farmer is helpless to grow grain;

all he can do is provide the right conditions

for the growing of the grain. He puts the seed in the ground where the natural forces take over and up comes the grain. That is the way with the

Spiritual Disciplines – they are a way of sowing the Spirit. The Disciplines are God’s way

of getting us into the ground; they put us where He can work within us and transform us. God has ordained the Disciplines of the spiritual life as the means by which we are placed where He can bless us.”

Our goal for the Lenten sermon series is not just to learn more about God, but to spend time with God. As Father Henri Nouwen once said, “We can know a lot about God and still feel far from him.”

Foster ends his introduction to the Celebration of Discipline with these words: “Our world is hungry for genuinely changed people. Leo Tolstoy observed, ‘Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.’ Let us be among those who believe that the inner transformation of our lives is a goal worthy of our best effort.”

Get ready to do some PRACTICING this Lent.

John has served as Senior Pastor of FUMC Grapevine since June of 2011. Read thoughts from John daily on the 10 & 10 blog, which encourages you to read scripture for 10 minutes a day and pray for 10 minutes a day... every day!

www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/10and10

For full details about all of our Lenten studies, go to

www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/lent

The Church at Work || 21

At the end of October, families at the Family Mission & • Matinee packed 384 shoeboxes filled with gifts for children in Central and South America, which are collected and distributed by Operation Christmas Child.

At Thanksgiving our Be Our Guest cooks and others made • approximately 90 homemade Thanksgiving dinners to give away to those in need.

Our Never Go Hungry team filled our industrial freezer with • casseroles as well to be given to those in need.

Nearly 40 of our church members volunteered their time • at The Slab on Thanksgiving Day serving a meal to the homeless population.

We had three Angel Trees which supplied gifts for GRACE’s • Christmas Cottage where hundreds of low income families were able to “shop” and receive multiple gifts per family member, stocking stuffers and even wrapping paper to wrap their gifts. Grace served approximately 400 more children at the Cottage this year.

We gave 105 bikes to the children at the Methodist Children’s • Home in Waco.

The 2x2 Sunday School class held a Trunk-or-Treat and took • a Christmas Party to the King Street Trailer Park.

We provided our Costa Rica Village with a Christmas Party, • including over $6,300 in gifts.

We gave 15 poultry farms to our Kenya Village.•

We provided $1,243 in chicken feed to the Kenya Village.•

We provided $1,000 for tuition for evangelists in Kenya.•

We provided over $12,653 to Ray and Lidia Zirkel - our • missionaries to Costa Rica - through our Christmas Offering.

We provided over $12,322 for the Kenya Guest House through • our Christmas Offering.

We provided over $16,902 for Project Repair at the Grapevine • Village through our Christmas offering.

The spirit of giving was alive and well this holiday season! You should know that…

22 || The Church at Work

Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is on February 13. This marks the beginning of the season of Lent. The imposition of ashes is a traditional way of marking the beginning of Lent and reminds us that we are all in need of God’s forgiveness. Christians use this day to begin this season of spiritual self-examination. We will have several opportunities for you to worship and fellowship that day:

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Come & Go Prayer/Imposition of Ashes - Pastors • will be available in Founders Chapel

5:30 PM - UMW Chicken Spaghetti Supper - Leach Hall •

5:45 PM - Family Lent Workshop - Family Life Center•

7:00 PM - Worship led by the Confirmation Class - Sanctuary•

7:00 PM - Bilingual Worship - Founders Chapel•

7:00 PM - Heritage Worship - Heritage Sanctuary•

See John’s article about Spiritual Disciplines for more information about

our Lenten sermon series and studies. For full details about all of our

Lenten studies, go towww.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/lent

Sunday, March 31Easter The Church at Work || 23

www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/give

First United Methodist Church GrapevineDowntown Campus: 422 Church Street | Grapevine, TX 76051 | 817-481-2559

Heritage Campus: 4344 Heritage Avenue | Grapevine, TX 76051 | 817-571-1111

www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org

Don’t forget to focus on Mission

Central! Your budget giving supports every ministry in the church, and keeps our doors

open!